America is a Christian Nation?: Republican Congresswoman Faces Bipartisan Ire Over Attack on Sikh Guest Chaplain – American Kahani
A Republican congresswoman is facing fierce criticism from both parties after attacking a Sikh religious leader who delivered the opening prayer in the House of Representatives, highlighting ongoing tensions over religious diversity in American governance.
Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois sparked outrage Friday when she posted on social media that it was “deeply troubling that a Sikh was allowed to lead prayer” in the House chamber, according to news reports. The Illinois Republican initially misidentified the religious leader as Muslim before editing her post and ultimately deleting it entirely.
The controversy centered on Giani Surinder Singh, a member of the Gurudwara South Jersey Sikh Society in Vineland, New Jersey, who served as guest chaplain Friday morning. Singh was invited by Rep. Jeff Van Drew, a New Jersey Republican, to deliver the House’s traditional opening prayer.
“This should have never been allowed to happen,” Miller wrote in her now-deleted post, as reported by USA Today. “America was founded as a Christian nation, and I believe our government should reflect that truth, not drift further from it.”
Swift Bipartisan Rebuke
The backlash crossed party lines with unusual speed and intensity. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, delivered one of the sharpest responses: “It’s deeply troubling that such an ignorant and hateful extremist is serving in the United States Congress. That would be you, Mary,” CNN reported.
The tradition of opening House sessions with prayer has historically included faith leaders from diverse religious backgrounds, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.
Republican colleagues were equally critical. Rep. Nick LaLota of New York wrote on social media: “A Sikh prayer on the House floor—followed by a Christian prayer one week and a Jewish prayer the next—doesn’t violate the Constitution, offend my Catholic faith, or throttle my support for Israel. Live and let live,” according to the Daily Mail.
Rep. David Valadao, a California Republican, said he was “troubled” by Miller’s remarks, noting that “throughout the country—and in the Central Valley—Sikh-Americans are valued and respected members of our communities, yet they continue to face harassment and discrimination,” CNN reported.
Van Drew, who invited Singh to offer the prayer, defended his guest. “As a Catholic, I take my faith seriously and I also believe part of being American is respecting other people’s faiths too,” he said in a statement reported by the Daily Mail. “The Sikh community is peaceful, generous, and deeply rooted in family and service – values we should all appreciate, no matter our religion.”
Constitutional and Historical Context
Miller’s claims about America’s founding run counter to constitutional principles. The First Amendment explicitly prohibits the establishment of religion, while Article VI states that “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”
The tradition of opening House sessions with prayer has historically included faith leaders from diverse religious backgrounds, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.
Sikhism, the world’s fifth-largest religion, was founded in the Punjab region of South Asia and is practiced by roughly 750,000 Americans. The religion is distinct from Islam, making Miller’s initial misidentification particularly problematic.
Civil Rights Groups Respond
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus condemned Miller’s comments as displaying “anti-Sikh and anti-Muslim bigotry.” The Democratic caucus stated: “Sikhs and Muslims practice two separate and distinct religions, and conflating the two based on how someone looks is not only ignorant but also racist.”
The Sikh Coalition demanded a formal apology, with Executive Director Harman Singh telling the Daily Mail: “Congresswoman Miller should apologize for her remarks — to both the Sikh and Muslim communities, because no one should be targeted on the basis of their identity.”
Pattern of Controversial Statements
This incident represents the latest in a series of inflammatory remarks from Miller. In 2021, she faced criticism for stating “Hitler was right on one thing: Whoever has the youth has the future,” for which she later apologized, the Daily Mail reported.
In 2022, she drew attention at a Trump rally celebrating the overturning of Roe v. Wade when she declared it a “victory for white life,” which her office later said was a misreading of prepared remarks.
The current controversy underscores ongoing debates about religious pluralism in American political institutions and the constitutional principles of religious freedom that have guided the nation since its founding. Miller’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment from news outlets covering the story.
As criticism continued to mount over the weekend, the incident served as a reminder of the delicate balance between personal faith and public service in America’s increasingly diverse democracy.
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